Bedford Council Meeting: School Construction Update, Ellenwood Security Upgrades, Farewell To Councilman Fluharty

RELATED: Starting a business in Bedford? Here are the resources you need. BEDFORD , Ohio – The Dec. 15 Bedford council meeting brought a full agenda and full emotions, as the Bedford council meeting featured an in-depth update on the school district’s multi-year construction plan, approval of several public safety and infrastructure measures, and a heartfelt farewell to Ward 3 Councilman Victor Fluharty, who is stepping down after eight years on council. Bedford Council Meeting Highlights School Construction Phases A representative from the Bedford City School District and project architect Russell from GPD Group outlined where things stand with the district’s sweeping facilities plan, which includes: A new K–2 elementary school on the Heskett Middle School campus in Bedford Heights A new grades 6–8 middle school on the former Chanel High School site along Northfield Road A new Bedford High School to be built in multiple phases on the existing high school campus Key timing and scope details shared with council: K–2 building at Heskett site (Bedford Heights): Roughly 35% complete, on time and on budget Targeted for substantial completion in June 2027 , with students moving in for fall 2027 Existing Heskett Middle will be converted into a 3–5 school when the K–2 opens New 6–8 middle school on Northfield Road: Located on the former Peter Chanel High School site Construction also targeted for completion in June/July 2027 , with students arriving in fall 2027 Student drop-off and staff traffic will enter from Northfield Road, with a new curb cut aligned to Bonnieview; buses will load in back on a separate drive to keep car and bus traffic separated New Bedford High School: Planned as a 175,000-square-foot building that will house grades 9–12, replacing a high school complex currently totaling about 405,000 square feet Will include a new auditorium and bring the district’s career-technical programs back into the high school Design documents are nearing completion; construction documents will begin in January 2026 Demolition and early site work are scheduled to start February 2026 , beginning with the North House and the current Board of Education building Students will remain in the Central and South House sections until they move into the new building, anticipated in fall 2028 , with final demolition and parking lot work wrapping up in spring 2029 Traffic safety and coordination have been a key focus. Project leaders said they have been working closely with Bedford’s transportation department, police, and fire departments, and will coordinate with the city on a traffic light relocation and other roadway changes near Northfield and Bonnieview. Pool Decision: No Natatorium in New High School Council members questioned why the new high school will not include a swimming pool, noting Bedford’s long history of swim instruction and the fact that many local children still do not know how to swim. District officials explained that: The decision not to build a new natatorium was made in 2022 by a facilities planning commission of roughly 80 community members. A new pool would have added more than $10 million to an already tight project budget. Maintaining the existing high school pool would have required an additional $4–5 million in near-term spending just to keep it open for a few more years. Student participation in swimming had dropped dramatically; swimming is no longer a required course , and only a small number of students chose to swim. Instead, the district has partnered with Bedford Heights to use that city’s pool at a very low cost, and has arrangements with other districts in case that facility is temporarily unavailable. The high school swim team continues to practice and compete using these shared facilities. Admin Building Shift: Buying Rather Than Building Another major facilities change involves the school administration offices. Originally, the district had planned a roughly 9,000-square-foot administration wing attached to the new middle school. As construction costs surged beyond state estimates, that portion of the project was cut. Instead, the district purchased an existing 18,000-square-foot office building at 3 Hemisphere Way in Bedford , built in 2008, for about $2.5 million —roughly half the projected cost of the smaller new admin wing. Officials told council this move: Doubled the available space for administrators Saved taxpayers millions Kept the district’s highest-paid staff and core administrative operations within the City of Bedford , preserving income tax and daily economic activity. New Gym, Old Issues Addressed Council members also raised questions about the new high school gymnasium. The district said the main gym will be similar in size or slightly larger than the existing main gym, while the auxiliary gym will be somewhat smaller. However, the overall facility will be a significant upgrade : Completely new locker rooms designed to address past Title IX equity concerns between boys’